Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if overseas development aid will be protected in Budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27243/11]

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding foreign aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27157/11]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views regarding a submission on overseas aid (details supplied); the actions taken or to be taken to attain the level of investment indicated; the results of his representations and the areas that he has visited and the groupings, either elected or representative from the countries involved with whom he has engaged; the results of such meetings; if on his recent visit to the UN he held discussions with any groups, countries or personnel within the UN regarding the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27184/11]

Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is still in line to achieve the aim of spending 0.7% of national income on foreign aid by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27270/11]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 107: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Ireland's commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27477/11]

Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline his commitment to spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid, if this is his intention until 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27570/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 123: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the 0.7% on foreign aid in the current economic climate and his proposals for same. [27684/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 94, 95, 97,107, 110 and 123 together.

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland's overseas development programme, which is central to our foreign policy. It is internationally recognised as one of the best development aid programmes in the world, is clearly focused on the fight against extreme poverty and hunger, and is concentrated in some of the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Ireland's aid programme has a rigorous focus on achieving real and sustainable results and provides strong international leadership in making aid more effective.

We were elected to restore growth to the Irish economy and rebuild our international reputation on the world stage. Despite the good progress we have made, Ireland still faces considerable challenges in ensuring that our public finances are put back on a sound and sustainable footing. However despite our current difficulties we are not willing to turn our backs on the world's poor and marginalised.

The Programme for Government underlines our commitment to Ireland's development programme and the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA). As recently as last week at the UN General Assembly, the Tánaiste clearly stated that we remain committed to this 0.7% target and that we will continue to work towards its attainment.

Decisions on the annual allocations for the aid programme in the coming years will have to be taken within the overall budgetary framework and the fiscal constraints facing the Government. We are currently engaged in the 2012 estimates process, and while I can give an assurance that, as Minister with responsibility for trade and development, I will make the strongest possible case for funding for development cooperation - the final budget allocation for next year will ultimately be a matter for the Minister for Finance.